Ben Franklin Jhs 2000 Polk Street, Stevens Point, Wi Home of the Chargers

BEN FRANKLIN JHS 2000 POLK STREET, STEVENS POINT, WI HOME OF THE CHARGERS

MAIN OFFICE: 715-345-5413 STUDENT SERVICES: 715-345-5414

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s): December 2017 Contents On behalf of the staff here at BFJH, I want to extend a sincere wish for a Happy Holiday to all the Ben Franklin Junior High School families! Registration Information 2 Athletic Information 2 It’s at this time of year that many people pause to Charger Champions 3 reflect on the things we are grateful for, as well Club News 3-4 as resolve to change aspects of their lives. May Assembly 4 whatever it is you are focused on this holiday sea- Medieval Times 4 son bring you great happiness and fulfillment. We Threads of Kindness 4 look forward to seeing all of our students again Holiday Basket 4 in January, well rested and eager to get back to Ben Franklin WebSite 4 learning and growing. Flu v. Cold (from Nurse) 5 A Note from the School Nurse 6 Sincerely, Requesting Homework 4 Steven Prokop YMCA Teen Nights 9 Yearbook Reminder 9 Principal Moving 4 Books from the Heart 9 Academic and Career Planning 7 Class News 9 Snow Day Information 9

No school Monday, December 25, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018 for Winter Break. School reconvenes on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Have a wonderful holiday season.

1 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Current Sixth Grade Students Parent Meeting - Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 6:00 p.m. Ben Franklin Auditorium. Girls 7/8 Basketball Current Seventh Grade Students Parent Meeting - Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball begins on 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Ben Franklin Auditorium. January 2! If you have not signed up already you can still do so from the link on the Ben Franklin Athlet- Course materials will be handed out in Social Stud- ics web page. The game schedule is available on the ies classes January 24, 2018. Students will register r-school link on the Athletics page as well. online in Social Studies classes on January 31 - February 2, 2018. 7/8 Girls Basketball Coaching Staff: 8th Grade Aric Zondlo: [email protected] Current Eighth Grade Students Tori Walsh: [email protected] Parent Meeting - Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 7th Grade Brooke Walsh: [email protected] 7:00 - 7:45 p.m. Ben Franklin Auditorium. Natalie Pelkey:[email protected]

Course materials will be handed out in Social 7/8 Girls Basketball Practice Schedule: Studies classes January 26 & 29, 2018. Students Tuesday, January 2nd: 7th grade 3:00 – 5:00 will register online in Social Studies classes on 8th grade 3:00 – 5:00 February 5 & 6, 2018. Wednesday, January 3rd: 7th grade 3:00 – 4:00 8th grade 4:00 – 5:00 Current Ninth Grade Students Thursday, January 4th: 7th grade 3:00 - 4:30 Parent Meeting - Monday, January 8, 2018, 8th grade 4:15 - 5:45 6:00 p.m. Auditorium SPASH. Friday, January 5th: 7th grade 3:00 - 4:30 8th grade 4:15 - 5:45 Ninth grade students have been taking career assessments and researching colleges, universities, Following weeks the 7th grade will regularly practice technical schools, and careers. They also have been from 3:00 - 4:30, with the 8th grade going from 4:15- completing their four year high school course plan. 5:45. Wednesdays everyone will be done by 5:15. SPASH course materials will be handed out in Social Studies classes on January 3, 2018, and SPASH counselors will be at Ben Franklin Junior High to assist students. Online course selection will be completed during Social Studies classes on January 10, 2018. SPRING SPORTS MEETINGS:

The SPASH Spring Sports Meeting for all 9-12 grade athletes will be on Tuesday, February 27. The BF Spring Sports Meeting for all 7-8 grade athletes will be on Monday, March 5. Specific times and details of these meetings will be sent out at a later date.

2 FORENSICS

Find your Voice! It is time to sign up for forensics! We offer many exciting categories including: poetry reading, prose reading, news reporting, extemporane- NOVEMBER CHARGER CHAMPIONS: ous speaking, demonstration, non-original oratory, storytelling, solo acting, play acting, readers’ theatre, Emma Jossie special occasion speech, persuasive speaking, infor- Emma displays leadership qualities on a daily basis. She mative speaking, and moments in history. is respectful, responsible and safe. She often takes the initiative to help her classmates when she sees a need. In addition to Level 1 and Level 2 state competitions, She accepts responsibility, works well with others, and we also provide students with an opportunity to hone makes good use of class time. Emma is respected by their skills through our very own, Franklin Forensic adults and her peers and is an outstanding young lady Forum on February 15. This less-formal-than-state who deserves recognition for being a charger cham- competition allows students the chance to perform pion on a daily basis. She makes the classroom a better place. in a judged setting in anticipation of scoring well at Level 2. Additionally, students can earn medals, Nathan Sankey ribbons, and certificates based on their performance Nathan always digs right in and works hard every day. at our forum. Wisconsin Rapids will be hosting Level He is positive and is kind to his fellow classmates. Na- I, January 30, and PJ Jacobs will be hosting Level II, than is a solid student and athlete and is trustworthy. I February 22. feel he is a really strong role model to his fellow students. Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 are welcome to participate in forensics. Sign up for the 2017-18 season Congratulations Emma and Nathan! is now. We need to register with the state before Christmas break. English teachers and the library staff have sign up forms available or students can contact the coaches: Ms. Schilcher, Mrs. Streveler, Ms. Ferguson-Borton, Mrs. Vrieze, or Ms. Bohman for more information.

DRAMA Auditions for the spring play will be February 26th, 27th, and March 1st, 2018, from 3-4 pm after school in the Ben Franklin NEW CLUBS Junior High auditorium. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Friedli at mfriedli@pointschools. We are excited to be offering 3 new clubs! Come net check them out. WEIGHT ROOM CLUB • Meme Club with Mrs. Tepp The BF Weight Room club meets Mondays, • Sign Language Club with Ms. Pelkey Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:00. Ev- • Inked imaginators Club with Mrs. Randazzo eryone is welcome! Weight Room Coordinator: James Berdan – [email protected]

3 KNITTING CLUB THREADS OF KINDNESS

Threads of Kindness is a program through the Knitting Club is a fun club that meets every other Stevens Point Public School District, whose mission week at 3:00 in room 1011. You will learn how to is to provide clothing, shoes, and other necessary knit when you join the club and you will get your items to children and families in need. first set of knitting needles and ball of yarn for free. See Sra. Borton to sign up or come to one of our If you are interested in learning more, becoming meetings in room 1011. Our next meetings are a volunteer, or in need of clothing or other items Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. for your family, please contact your School Social Worker.

HOLIDAY BASKET PROJECT STUDENT COUNCIL Operation Bootstrap is once again sponsoring the Candy Cane Sales Holiday Basket Project for December 2017. The purpose of the Holiday Basket Project is to provide Student Council will be selling Candy Cane Grams. families and individuals with a holiday meal and Candy Canes can be purchased for 50 cents a piece gifts for the children if they cannot provide them for after school Dec. 13- Dec. 20th. Students will themselves. It serves all of Portage County. If you only be able to have candy canes delivered to their have any questions please contact Karen Aldinger, friends if they can provide their friend’s full name and 8th hour teacher’s name. The Candy Canes will Mitzi Hlavac, or Donna Marx at 715-344-9950. be delivered to 8th hour classes on Dec. 21st.

7th & 8th GRADE ASSEMBLY Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Turn Around Publishing by Ron Glodoski BEN FRANKLIN WEBSITE Location: Auditorium Topics to be discussed: bullying, cyber-bullying, To access Ben Franklin web page, log on the district positive choices, and goal setting home page http:// www.pointschools.net and then 7th Grade Assembly during 1st and 2nd hour the Ben Franklin link. 8th Grade Assembly during 3rd hour • Currently you will find: • Family Access/Gradebook MEDIEVAL TIMES • Course websites for homework purposes • Daily announcements • School calendars The annual 8th grade Medieval Times trip will take • Parent newsletters place on Thursday, December 14th. Students going • School News on the trip should arrive between 5:45-5:55 a.m. and • Facebook will be arriving back at Ben Franklin between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. More information regarding what students should bring on the trip will be handed out next week. Students not going on the Medieval Trip will still be expected to attend school and will have their normal schedule, with some classes being combined.

4 Note from Nurse Brittany: Flu vs. Cold The Myth of the “Stomach” Flu Many peole use the term “stomach flu” to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria, or even parasites. The “flu” is a term that generally refers to influenza. While vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or sick to your stomach can sometimes be related to the flu, particularly in children, these problems are rarely the main symptoms of influenza. The flu is respiratory disease and not a stomach or intestinal disease.

Influenza vs. Cold vs. Pertussis Symptom Influenza ("Flu") Colds (Viral URI) Pertussis

Usually present & high 102- Fever Uncommon Uncommon 104°F typically lasts 3-4 If present,typically low-grade If present, typically low-grade days Chills Common Uncommon Rare

Headache Very common Uncommon Uncommon

Aches and pains, muscle aches, Very common Slight to Moderate Uncommon chest discomfort Often severe

Fatigue and weakness Moderate - severe; can last up Mild Mild; Usually appears well between to 14-21 days coughing attacks

Extreme exhaustion Very common early in illness Extremely Rare Rare Stuffy or runny nose Common Very common Common, early in the disease

Sneezing Sometimes Common Common, early in the disease

Sore throat Common Common Uncommon

Cough: Character Non-productive Hacking cough, often Variable character; fits / paroxysms ("dry") cough is productive; usually responds and nocturnal cough are common; typical to cough medications generally not responsive to cough medications; "whooping" may or may not occur

Mild to Moderate Variable; mild to severe; Severity Moderate Typically 3-7 days Persistent cough, almost always >1 Duration Typically 3-7 days; week, usually 2-6 weeks, sometimes occasionally to 14 10+ weeks days Common; often leads to vomiting Uncommon Rare Paroxysms or gagging (coughing fits) Variable; typically 4-7 days From start of catarrhal phase (before Infectious Period 1 day before after symptom onset; can be cough) to 21 days after cough on- symptom onset longer set*. Most efficient spreading after and 3-7 days after cough onset.

*or until taking 5 days of appropriate anti-pertussis antibotics

5 Note from Nurse Brittany: Backpacks Yearbook Reminder If your child ordered a yearbook, Jostens has been Some students are carrying very heavy backpacks sending statements. The final deadline is early in around during the school day, and carrying over one January for the complete payment. Please make shoulder rather then equally distributing the weight sure to send in the payment or make a payment across the back. The risk of heavy weight or one- online at Jostens to reserve a yearbook for your shoulder carrying can cause strain to the back, neck student. If you have questions, you may contact or shoulders. This can manifest in rounding of the Mark Vrieze at [email protected] or Car- shoulders, muscle pain and irritation to the spine rie Vrieze at [email protected]. and rib cage. It also can cause falls due to caus- ing a person to lean forward when walking which reduces balance. Please ask your child if they feel Moving any back aches or pain. If yes, advise them to reduce the weight in the backpack by carrying only what is Please contact the Ben Franklin Student Services needed and making more frequent trips to the locker. Office, 715-345-5414, at least two days prior to It is recommended to carry no more than 10-15% of your child’s last day. He/she will need to turn in your child’s body weight. Coach them to use both any textbooks, computers, locks, supplies, and straps on back rather than over one shoulder. Have have his/her teachers sign a withdrawal card that them clean out the backpack once a week or more if will be provided by the student services office. needed. Do not lean over when walking - if this hap- His/her records will be forwarded when we re- pens there is too much weight in the back pack. ceive a request from the new school.

Requesting Homework Books from the Heart

When your child is absent for more than two days, Books from the Heart is a book drive to provide parents may call on the third day of absence before a book for every child in the primary grades in 9:00 a.m. to have homework gathered by the end of public and parochial schools in the Stevens Point that day. This policy is uniform throughout the inter- area. Our goal is to have books in the hands of mediate and secondary levels of our district. our K-2 students for Valentine’s Day.

In the event you know your child be out for a longer Between January 10th and February 9th we will period of time, we are happy to send for homework be accepting books and, monetary contributions, for the entire time period. Call the main office 715- made out to “Books from the Heart” c/o Sally 345-5413. Crane, J.F. Kennedy Elementary School, 616 West Second Street, Junction City, and books will YMCA Teen Nights be purchased in the name of the donor or donor organization. Thanks for your support in getting The YMCA continues to offer FREE Teen Nights for books into the hands of young readers. grades 6-12 at our Stevens Point Area YMCA, on Saturdays from 7-10:30 pm. We offer special activi- If you are interested in purchasing books from ties each night! Also FREE popcorn every night! Book Look – they will be available by appoint- On the 2nd and 4th nights we have FREE Pizza! ment for you to come and browse. Please call Check the website for updates spymca.org for up- Ken or Mary Lou at 715-341-2665. dates, especially during holidays for days open. Remember this is FREE!! Any inquiries may be directed to Sally Crane 345-5614.

6 December 2018 Caring Corner: Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Contributed by Mrs. Marilyn Devine and Ms. Deb Schillinger What is ACP? Beginning in the Fall of 2017, school boards are required to ensure their schools are providing Academic and Career Planning (ACP) services to students in grades 6-12. ACP is an ongoing process that actively engages students with academic, career, and social/emotional development throughout their educational experience.

The Benefits The ACP process is a student driven initiative in which students will make informed decisions for their own individual post-secondary success. Students will participate in activities and experiences in order to identify their strengths and abilities, improve their understanding of postsecondary options, better connect their goals to educational coursework and career goal activities, and engage in long-term planning for life after high school graduation.

Key ACP Components

Know - Who am I? • Self- awareness: personality, values, interests, knowledge, skills, abilities • Reflection and goal setting

Explore - What do I want to do? • Find out about the work world and explore careers • Career research • Career awareness assessments • Career clusters

Plan - How do I get there? • Consider skills, classes, and degrees that different jobs require • Find work-based learning opportunities • Explore and experience particular fields of interests • Look into options for experience: - Work based learning opportunities - Postsecondary training options - Financial plan for postsecondary routes - Community based learning opportunities

Go - Do! • Action and experiences • Modify your plan and goals when needed • Advanced Placement courses • Course/Youth Options courses • Career Exploration courses • Youth Apprenticeship • Job Shadowing

For more information on ACP, visit: http://dpi.wi.gov/acp or contact Ben Student Services at 715.345.5414.

7 FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE FCCLA CLUB

Intro to Sewing The Family & Consumer Science (FACS) depart- Every Other Day classes all year long = 30 class ment has a club that will be organizing the Operation periods. Students are getting ready for the winter Bootstrap holiday gift basket on behalf of our Ben weather by starting to sew either their fleece hat or Franklin families. mittens…WOW! The fabrics that the students have chosen is absolutely beautiful! The course is offered If anyone from the public would like to contribute to to 8th and 9th graders as an elective in the Family the basket, donations can be left in the main office in & Consumer Science (FACS) department. All are care of FCCLA basket. welcome. COMPUTER SCIENCE

8th grade The Hour of Code is a global movement introducing Last month the Breast Cancer Family Foundation tens of millions of students worldwide to computer (BCFF) presented to all 8th graders. Here are some science, inspiring kids to learn more, breaking stereo- comments from our students about the information types, and leaving them feeling empowered. presented: The Hour of Code began as a one-hour coding chal- Question: What surprised you most? lenge to give students a fun first introduction to Answer: I learned that there are over 230 different computer science and has become a global learning types of cancer. event, celebration, and awareness event.

Question: What would you share with others An annual global event, the Hour of Code takes your age? place every year during Computer Science Educa- Answer: Exercising daily can lower your risk of tion Week, the first week in December. With a huge cancer by 40%; You need to eat 5 servings of fruits/ groundswell of support and attention, it’s an ideal vegetables each day to help prevent cancer in the time for schools and districts to put the spotlight on future; Cancer loves sugar so you need to reduce computer science programs and expand opportuni- your sugary foods; You should wear sunscreen all ties. Computer science is foundational. Computer of the time even when it is overcast outside; Tanning science is changing every industry on the planet. beds can cause skin cancer. Every 21st-century student should have the opportunity to learn how to create technology. Computer Question: What would you share with your science concepts also help nurture creativity and family? problem-solving skills to prepare students for any Answer: You should check for lumps or bumps regu- future career. Computing occupations are the fastest- larly on your body, if you find something then you growing, bestpaying, and now the largest sector of should get checked by a doctor. all new wages in the US. Recent surveys show that among classes students “like a lot,” computer science Holiday Greeting from the Ben Franklin and engineering rank near the top! Special Education Department Ben Franklin Computer Science students will be Please visit this web site to help you through the busy participating in a variety of Hour of Code activities holiday season. in early December, showing students fun and exciting ways to get started in Coding! https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/holiday-stress- special-needs-parents-1207124

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year! Ben Franklin SPED Teachers 8 SCIENCE NEWS ENGLISH

Things continue to be exciting and engaging in For Quarter 2, 7th graders are caught between the your child’s science class. Socs and Greasers in their current read, The Out- siders. Our 8th grade students are working on the Seventh grade science recently explored an energy District Writing Assessment on the topic of Human component of their curriculum. Students applied Nature. Finally, our 9th grade students will be busy the use of potential and kinetic energy as they used writing the District Writing Assessment on the catapults to demonstrate that objects with different topic of foreshadowing. They have been reading masses traveled varying distances. Students were and studying a John Steinbeck novel. Most ninth challenged to engineer the catapult to create the grade students are reading Of Mice and Men, and largest amount of stored mechanical potential energy others are reading The Grapes of Wrath. which would then transform into sound, motion and SOCIAL STUDIES heat kinetic energy. The students continue to ap- ply their knowledge of sources and forms of energy 7th Grade Geography Bee: In December, 7th grade while studying cells types and exploring how cells students will participate in the 9th annual Ben Frank- use energy to function and replicate in the process of lin School Geography Bee. Mr. Braemer, Social mitosis. The transfer of energy will be a topic woven Studies teacher organized the event and uses materi- through the entire seventh grade year als prepared by National Geographic Society. Mate- rials are used by thousands of schools across the US. Eighth grade science has been exploring the im- Student will participate in class competitions, from pacts of plate tectonics. Students built structures to which finalist are then selected. Finalists then con- withstand “earthquakes” in our shaker boxes. From tend in a school competition, which will be attended there, students also applied their knowledge of plate by all 7th grade students on December 18, 2017. tectonics to discuss the impact the plates have on creating volcanoes. Students chose how to present 7th Grade Social Studies: In December, seventh their information. They chose to write papers, create grade students will participate in the 9th annual Ben a slideshow, or to create a volcano model which was Franklin School Geography Bee. The Geography “exploded” in class. Since hot lava cools to form to Bee is organized by seventh grade social studies create rocks, minerals, and crystals, students partici- teacher Nick Braemer, and uses materials prepared pated in a crystal growth lab and grew rock candy by the National Geographic Society. The Society’s crystals. Bee materials are used by thousands of schools across the United States and are an excellent re- Ninth grade physical science has had some “shock- source for encouraging student interest in geography ing experiences” in physical science as they have study. Students will participate in class competitions, been studying electricity. They are learning all about from which finalists are then selected. Finalists then static electricity via Van De Graaf Generators, and contend in a school competition, which will be at- Leyden Jars. Also, they have been applying electric tended by all seventh grade students on Dec. 18th. circuit skills by using Snap Circuits to generate series and parallel circuits. In ninth grade environmental 8th Grade European History science, students studied population growth by look- Students in eighth grade European History are ing at the exponential growth in a popcorn “popping finishing their study of the Roman unit. During populations” lab. Also, they studied the populations that unit they had to solve a problem in the Roman of small mammals in Ben Franklin’s Forest, by cap- republic and present their solutions. They are now turing and releasing small mammals to identify what starting the Middle Ages unit and will construct a populations were present and the size of each popula- Coat of Arms shield. The highlight of this unit is tion of the captured mammals. the Medieval Times field trip that will take place on December 14th.

9 SOCIAL STUDIES (continued) ORCHESTRA NEWS

9th Grade Civics On Tuesday, December 19th the Ben Franklin Students in ninth grade Civics are studying the Orchestra will present a concert in the school executive branch. They began exploring the execu- auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the perfor- tive branch through studying George Washington’s mance of our talented orchestra students. presidency and completing a research project on a past president. Students are gaining an understanding of the President’s roles and responsibilities through studying a variety of materials, including analyzing the Constitution. In addition, students will also be taking part in a presidential succession collaborative activity and a cabinet simulation. The next unit of study is the judicial branch. 2017-2018 “SNOW DAY” UPDATE

Ninth Grade Washington D.C. Trip Great news! During the winter, we often get weather that makes This year 81 students will participate in annual Ben driving treacherous, and on some days, it becomes Franklin Junior High School tour to Washington necessary to cancel school for safety reasons. In D. C. The tour dates are March 6th through March order for parents to have time to make alternative 10th, 2018. Excitement and anticipation is building arrangements for their children, the district makes as we get closer to our trip. Throughout the many the decision to call a “snow day” as early as pos- experiences of this year’s trip, we will visit many sible, usually by 5:30 a.m. of the Washington D.C. sites (the Capitol Building, It is possible that after students have started classes Smithsonian Institute, Arlington Cemetery, Mt. Ver- on a given day, late developing weather conditions non, etc.). In addition to viewing the Washington would require us to close school early. However, D.C. area, we will spend a day in nearby Colonial that is done only under extreme, unusually severe Williamsburg. conditions. Early dismissal creates additional problems for parents and has the potential of increasing The experience of this enrichment trip will benefit risks for students. all those who travel. We will return home with Because closing school early might become un- many memories and new insights about America’s avoidable, parents do need to make advance ar- heritage and its government in action. rangements for their children if no one will be home to receive them if school is dismissed early. For those traveling to Washington D.C., trip details It is important that parents arrange with relatives or and travel information will be shared through email neighbors on the same bus route to be prepared to and the Skyward message center. accept the students. If school is cancelled or is closed early, the district BAND NEWS notifies parents by radio and television announcements. The following stations are used for that Our ninth grade Concert Band will travel to all five communication. Ben Franklin feeder elementary schools on Friday, December 15th. We look forward to presenting a WGNV-88FM WSPT-97.9FM holiday concert as well as playing with the sixth WKQH-104.9FM WFHR-1320AM grade band students at each school. Student should WOFM-94.7FM WIZD-99.9FM bring money for lunch. Parents and friends are wel- WYTE-106.5FM WRIG-1390AM come to stop by at any concert that is convenient. WIFC-95.5FM WDEZ-101.9FM We will play at Kennedy at 9:15, Roosevelt at 10:30, WSAU-550AM WSAW-TV7 Plover/Whiting at 11:20, McKinley at 1:15, and WLJY-96.7FM WGLX-103.3FM finally McDill at 2:05. Hope to see you there for a WSPT-1010AM WAOW-TV9 little musical cheer! 10 Ben Franklin JHS 2000 Polk Street Stevens Point WI 54481

No school Monday, December 25, 2017 through Tuesday, January 2, 2018 for Winter Break. Have a wonderful holiday season.